Duke Unit Adds 6 Solar Sites In Eastern NC

This solar farm in Northampton County is among those acquired by Duke Energy Renewables.

Duke Energy Renewables

Duke Energy's commercial power business has bought six solar projects in eastern North Carolina.

Duke Energy Renewables says all six sites were developed by Pennsylvania-based Community Energy.

The solar farms -- in Edgecombe, Hertford and Northampton counties -- generate 5 megawatts of electricity each. That's enough to power 6,000 homes, the utility says. All the electricity is being sold to a smaller utility - Dominion NC Power.

With the deal Duke Energy Renewables now owns 30 solar facilities in North Carolina, generating more than 300 megawatts.

Including consumer power operations, Duke Energy has about 450 megawatts of solar energy in the state, enough to power 85,000 average homes at peak production.

Solar facilities in North Carolina owned by Duke and other companies totaled 2,087 megawatts as of March. That ranks North Carolina No. 3 in the nation for the amount of solar capacity installed, according to the Solar Energy Industry Association.

Map shows locations of Duke Energy's solar farms in North Carolina. Click image for more information on Duke's website.

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